First Digi Stamps

I tried so many new things today, I'm not sure I'll be able to remember it all.  First, I tried coloring stamps for the first time.  OK, that isn't technically correct.  I have been messing around with this technique for a couple of weeks but this is the first time I felt like I could use what I did.  It was the first time I ever used a digi stamp. 

This stamp is a freebie from Little Scraps of Heaven.  She has a lot of great stuff.  I must admit, part of the reason I used this image is because I have a VERY limited number of alcohol pens.  I bought a few from an art store (Dick Blick).  It is their brand and is close to ProMarkers or Copics (although the nibs are different from the Copics - from what I can tell).  So, I only have a few so it truly limited what I could color.

I embossed the card topper with one of the 5 x 7 embossing folders in the Preserves Cuttlebug Companion set.  Who would have thought it would work for a card like this but I liked the way it turned out.  I also used some Nestabilities for the first time.  I only have one set (Labels 8) and I bought them at least 6 months ago and never figured out how to use them in my Cuttlebug.  They worked like a charm. 

Here is a closer view of the embossing and the coloring.  The sentiment is computer generated and seemed to work with the little boy.  I picture him getting ready to put out the fire on a cake.

This is the other card I did with the same image.

I used another Cuttlebug folder on this one.  I can't remember the name but it is like Swiss Dots except it is little hearts. If anyone knows the name, please let me know so I can mark it.  I cut the oval and the funky shape for the sentiment with my E.  The oval is from George cart and the shape is from Locker Talk.  I liked that the digi isn't completely on the oval but moves onto the card.

Black and White Sympathy Cards

I don't think it is ever easy to make sympathy cards.  However, I feel like these could go in the stash box for when I need them (except for the second one which is already on its way to some friends). I almost broke down and bought a card before I worked these two out.  The real plus to making sympathy cards, you can say what you really feel as opposed to trying to find a card that says what you want.  These worked for me, mostly because I chose the sentiments.  

OK, so here are the cards.

The paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle, Love Letters.  I got it on sale this week from their website.  It was a great price so I bought two stacks.  The scallop is from Alphalicous Cart and the circle and rectangles (card base and card topper) are from George.  I really don't know what I would do without my George cart.  It was the very first thing I ever "bought" with rewards points.  

Speaking of rewards points, I am getting a Gypsy with all of my rewards points.  I'm so excited  I have gone back and forth on whether I wanted one and thought about getting one when the price went under $100 and then this week Michaels started selling them for $50.  I'm not sure how much I'll use it, although it would be nice to set-up my E someplace that isn't immediately connected to my laptop.  If the transfer of files back and forth is as easy as they say, I think I'll be happy.  The truth is, I had 4000 rewards points sitting there and nothing to do with them.  I didn't want any of the carts they were offering and 4000 points would have gotten my 5 or 6 at least, and I really don't do "promotional" items.  If PC wants me to wear their T-shirt or hat around and advertise for them they can send it to me for free.

OK, I digress, back to the cards.  The font on the first is Calibri and on the second it is Papyrus.  The inside says, "It's so curious:  one can resist tears and 'behave' very well in the hardest hours of grief.  But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer... and everything collapses. - Collette"

I hope this gives you some ideas for simple sympathy cards.  Stay warm and let me know what you think.